Efeito citotóxico do extrato aquoso de sementes de abóbora (Cucurbita spp.) submetidas ou não ao tratamento térmico

Abstract

The Pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.) is one of the most cultivated vegetables in the Northeast Region, with seeds being one of the most consumed parts. However, they may have antinutritional and / or toxic factors depending on the heat treatment used. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the aqueous extract of pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita spp.) Submitted or not to heat treatment. METHODOLOGY: First, the pumpkin seeds were dried, crushed and sieved to obtain a fine flour. Then, two 0.6 g aliquots of the flour were separated, one was subjected to 121 ° C in an autoclave for 15 min and the other was not heated. Subsequently, the flours were subjected to aqueous extraction in a proportion of 1:10 (m: v) for 16 h. Then, the total soluble proteins of the extracts were quantified by the method of Bradford (1976) and the cytotoxic effect was evaluated under Artemia sp nauplii according to Meyer (1982), with modifications. RESULTS: The results showed a toxic potential both for the aqueous extract of the seeds that underwent heat treatment and for those that did not, presenting an LC50 of 350 μg.mL-1 and 133 μg.mL-1, respectively. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the heat treatment allows less toxicity to the aqueous extract of the pumpkin seeds. In addition, further in vivo studies are needed to determine the amount and safe heating temperature of seeds for human consumption.